Philippine Lawmakers Push for Probe and Stronger Regulation Amid Soaring Online Gambling Revenues and Social Risks

Philippine Representative Brian Poe on Wednesday filed a resolution in the House calling for a thorough investigation into the social issues arising from the rapid expansion of online gambling and its impact on Filipino citizens. As the online gambling industry continues to generate massive revenues, Poe’s resolution aims to confront the surge in illegal and unregulated platforms and reinforce policies to protect the public from digital gambling-related harms.

As reported, Poe stressed the urgency of examining the issue, citing an alarming rise in gambling-related debt, school dropouts, family breakdowns, and mental health crises linked to unregulated gambling activities. “There is a sharp rise in gambling-related debt, family strife, school dropouts, and mental health issues linked to unregulated online platforms,” Poe warned, emphasizing the need for “scrutiny.”

The Philippine gaming sector has grown dramatically, recording PHP410.47 billion ($7.3 billion) in gross gaming revenues for 2024, covering both domestic and offshore activities. Official data from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) shows the regulated sector contributed PHP372.33 billion ($6.6 billion)—a 30.52 percent jump from the previous year—largely driven by the online gambling boom and steady performance from land-based casinos.

PAGCOR estimates that gross gaming revenue from e-casinos alone could reach between PHP450 billion ($8.0 billion) and PHP480 billion ($8.5 billion) by 2025. These projections have further fueled concerns about the pace and scale of the industry’s growth and its possible social fallout.

Poe’s resolution comes as the Philippine government moves toward tightening control over online gambling operations. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has voiced support for legislative proposals to regulate and tax online gambling activities. The President underlined the necessity of such measures “to curb addiction and minimize social harm.”

While some have called for a complete ban on online gambling, PAGCOR has maintained that regulation—not prohibition—is the more effective path forward. The agency insists that a comprehensive regulatory framework “would better protect the public while maintaining significant government revenue and job creation,” rejecting calls for a total shutdown of the industry.

Despite these efforts, technological advances have made online gambling more accessible and harder to monitor. The proliferation of e-wallets, cryptocurrency wallets, and digital payment platforms has enabled unregulated gambling sites to reach wider audiences and circumvent existing laws. Reports from families, community organizations, and local authorities suggest a troubling trend of minors and low-income individuals engaging in online gambling, drawn by platforms that often fail to enforce age restrictions or provide basic consumer protections.

Authorities including the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, PAGCOR, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Health Organization recognize gambling addiction as a growing public health issue. The expansion of online gambling has been associated with increased addiction rates, leading to more cases of financial distress, family disputes, and psychological harm.

Beyond the social implications, the proliferation of offshore and unlicensed online gambling operators threatens the state’s revenue base and creates channels for organized crime and money laundering. Poe’s resolution specifically calls for a broad review of how financial institutions, e-wallet providers, internet service providers, digital platforms, and payment processors are “enabling and normalizing” these activities.

While most lawmakers agree that the social consequences of online gambling are serious, they remain divided on how best to tackle the issue. First-term House members have argued for stronger regulation instead of outright bans. Among them, Negros Occidental Representative Javi Benitez highlighted the economic contributions of the regulated online gambling industry, pointing out that it generates over PHP200 billion ($3.6 billion) annually and supports more than 40,000 Filipino workers.

Benitez, quoted by GMA News, said, “Gaming revenues fund essential public services including hospitals, schools, infrastructure projects, community programs, and social services.” He also cited the case of DigiPlus, an online gaming platform that reportedly paid PHP33.7 billion ($600 million) in taxes, underscoring the sector’s value as a revenue source.

Bicol Saro party-list Representative Terry Ridon proposed the adoption of “smarter regulatory policies,” including physical cash-in requirements and raising minimum betting thresholds to PHP10,000 ($178) or PHP20,000 ($356) to encourage more responsible gambling behavior. Such proposals aim to ensure that bettors “think twice about spending.”

Several legislative initiatives are already in motion. Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri filed the proposed Anti-Online Gambling Act of 2025 earlier this week. The bill would require internet service providers, mobile network operators, and digital platforms to block access to online gambling websites within 72 hours of receiving notice from the Department of Justice or PAGCOR.

In the House of Representatives, Akbayan party-list lawmakers Chel Diokno, Perci Cendaña, and Dadah Ismulla introduced House Bill 1351, known as the Kontra e-Sugal Act. The proposed measure seeks to limit access to online gambling by imposing strict age verification standards, setting loss limits for bettors, and establishing a national self-exclusion registry to protect vulnerable individuals from gambling harm.

As debate over the future of online gambling in the Philippines intensifies, Poe’s resolution adds a critical voice calling for a comprehensive policy response. With industry revenues soaring and social costs mounting, the outcome of this inquiry—and the legislative steps that follow—could define how the country navigates the delicate balance between economic opportunity and public welfare in the digital gambling era.

By fLEXI tEAM